New council set to take reins

Next week, the "new faces" join the Baldwin City Council. New Mayor Ken Hayes and councilmen Todd Cohen, George McCrary and Ken Wagner will be sworn in Monday.

They replace Mayor Stan Krysztof and councilmen Eugene Nelson, Joe Salb and Lee Whaley. Salb did not seek re-election. The others were defeated in last month's election.

City Administrator Larry Paine explained how the process will take place Monday at the library. The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m.

"What we're going to do is the existing council will convene the meeting," said Paine. "Marilyn Pearse and Ted Brecheisen Jr. (council members who will remain on board) are going to present plaques for those going off. Then we'll have the swearing in of the new members, we'll then recess and have punch and cookies. During that time, we'll change the name plates at the council table.

"Then we'll start the new term," said Paine. "We'll take care of all the administrative things and then we'll get down to the nitty gritty, the things I need to get done."

There won't be a honeymoon period for the new council. There's plenty to be done.

"We're going to have a humongous agenda for the first meeting," said Paine.

The new mayor and council like it that way.

"I'm excited about starting off with major issues that are facing the city," said Hayes.

Hayes said he's been contacted by numerous people regarding ways those issues can be addressed. He called the outpouring from residents and others wanting to help "phenomenal."

"If we can capitalize on the opportunities that have come forward, we will be on the road to putting some of the programs in place for the city that we want," said Hayes.

The new council has met in unofficial meetings recently and have one more Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Public Works office.

"Thursday we're going to get together for strategic planning," said Paine. "They get to talk to me, instead of me talking to them. What I want to know is what is in their minds for what the town is going to look like in five years.

"I'll use that as a guide for the legislative agenda and to guide the staff with," he said.